A news reporter is standing amongst a throng of local visitors inside an (empty) palace. The corespondent points out the well manicured grounds, the luxurious indoor pool. It’s like a surreal, albeit dusty, Parade of Homes. The local site seers are gazing around. The camera pans and captures a guy, eyes fixated on the ceiling. Staring. I realize that he is not admiring the architectural details rather — trying to figure out a way to get the chandelier down or perhaps remove a glass stain window skylight.

The Sunday front page pictures a minor verbal confrontation between disgruntled Iraqi civilians and an American Coalition force. They are upset about the law and order void. The locals are healthy, young, strong – b i g guys. They are prime to have been regular if not elite militia conscripts. Do you suppose they ditched their rifles – went home and changed clothes?